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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was created to provide reasonable and necessary supports for people with disability under the age of 65 years to live an included and meaningful life on an equal basis with other Australians. The mechanism for this is individualised support plans underpinned by personal budgets that are spent on services purchased from a social care market.

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the scheme in 2012 and the national roll‐out, which began in 2013, was achieved in July 2020. The NDIS is a very significant social policy innovation and its importance for people with disability in Australia cannot be underestimated. For many people with disability, the supports provided through the NDIS have been essential to living an included life.

This MJA perspective shares more.

Details

• Explain key components of the perspective.
• List main findings.
• Recognise the significant concerns about equity within the scheme.

Authors: Jennifer Smith‐Merry, John Gilroy and Annmaree Watharow

Article Type: Perspective